Democratic politicians in California are currently considering a proposal that would provide unemployment benefits to undocumented immigrants residing in the state. This move comes as Title 42 expired last week, prompting discussions on extending support to this population.
SB 227, also known as the Safety Net for All Workers Act, sponsored by Sen. María Elena Durazo (D), aims to address the economic exclusion faced by undocumented immigrants in California. The proposed bill seeks to allocate state funds to offer weekly unemployment benefits of $300 to undocumented individuals who claim to be unemployed, lasting for a period of up to 20 weeks.
According to Fox News, Sen. Durazo expressed her disappointment that despite their contributions to industries such as agriculture, clothing, and construction, undocumented immigrants have been marginalized from California’s economic prosperity. In an effort to rectify this, SB 227 intends to utilize state resources to extend a safety net to this marginalized group, granting them access to unemployment benefits.
